manda . r a i

[[EXTRAORDINARY]] PAGE FOUR

The crowd dissipated, uninterested now that the action was over. Kevin bent down next to Sandra, who had her eyes closed. "Hey," he shook her shoulder. "Hey, you ok?"

Sandra's eyes fluttered open. "Go away..." she whispered and groaned. Her mouth had a bad taste, and blood was caking on her upper lip. She tried pushing herself up and was surprised when a strong arm supported her. She stood up, and turned around to face her rescuer. "Hi..." she muttered.

"Hi, I'm Kevin." He held her up with one arm and gave her a tissue.

Sandra took the tissue gratefully. "Umm... thanks." She wasn't used to this kind of attention. She felt her face getting hot, and her hands sweaty. "I'm... Sandra..." she stammered, trying to get the taste of dirt out of her mouth.
"Cool." His warm brown eyes looked deep into hers. Sandra blushed and turned away, wiping her nose with the tissue. Red bits of blood flaked off. She was embarrassed and shamed to be seen like this. I'm plain, I'm plain, he doesn't like me, this was a dare. His friends dared him to stop Rachel. This is a joke. He doesn't pay attention to people like me. He doesn't. She refused to believe that Kevin would do this on his own will.

"So, Sandra, what did you do to Rachel to make her so mad at you?" The question took Sandra by surprise. Yes, what did she do to make Rachel so mad at her? She never thought of that.

"I... I have no idea," she mumbled. Her eyes darted back to the ground.

"Really..." Kevin searched her face for answers. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying, and her whole face was streaked with dirt. He found it hard to believe that Rachel was just beating this girl up for fun. "Well, you better get to the bathroom and clean yourself up Sandra. Here, I'll help you." He grabbed hold of her arm and helped her walk.
Sandra walked shakily and clung tightly to his arm. This isn't true, this isn't true. He can't be doing this. He can't be. No, I am still lying on the ground. I am still there. No you're not Sandra, no you're not. Kevin is real, he's really helping you. This is God's answer to your prayer. Kevin got you out of that mess with Rachel. Enjoy it Sandra. Kevin's a kind person Sandra, take care of him. What do you mean take care of him? You'll see Sandra, you'll see.

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